Shimano Tiralejo Review: What you need to know about this Great Rod
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Introduction
When it comes to the nice expensive rods, it seems like nobody reviews them, the focus is on the less expensive ones. This is a complete Shimano Tiralejo review, and I really hope that it can help you decide if the Shimano Tiralejo is the rod of choice for you.
The fact of the matter is this high quality surf fishing rod is a great option that has a lot of good qualities and as it should, it comes in many different actions.
This article is designed to walk you through the key features of the Shimano Tiralejo, then go through important things to consider when purchasing a fishing rod, and finally a section of related FAQ’s.
By the end of this article you will be able to click the button and head on over to Amazon and purchase the rod confidently, knowing all the important features and drawbacks of the Shimano Tiralejo.
Lets get to it.
Quick Review
Shimano Tiralejo Review: The important components of Review
Rod Construction Material
The Shimano Tiralejo utilizes a new kind of construction material that has been designed to give the rod strength but also maintain the sensitivity of the rod.
The material/process is called a C4S process.
This process uses high modulus blank and wraps 4 outer layers of 90 degree graphite around the rod.
The C in the process means the construction material is 4 layers of Carbon, and the S in the process means that is then wrapped in 4 layers of slit carbon tape.
All the carbon is made of high modulus carbon, essentially meaning it is very pure carbon (increasing strength).
All of the carbon together is what makes the graphite of this rod.
So, technically the rod is a graphite rod, which graphite is made of carbon, so that is where those two terms come together.
This uniquie wrapping of carbon in slit carbon tape adds a lot of flexibility while also maintaining the strength of the rod.
Line Guides
The line guides of the Shimano Tiralejo are made of Fuji Stainless steel, with an alconite insert.
That’s awesome right, but what does it mean?
The Fuji part is the company that has worked tirelessly and every development of fishing guide improvement over the last 20 years has been the result of Fuji.
The alconite insert refers to the ceramic ring inset in the middle of the line guide, the part that your line will be in direct contact with.
Alconite is a blended material that is meant to maintain strength while also protecting your line from fraying.
These guides are both strong and smooth, you won’t be disappointed with how the rod will cast and retrieve and a lot of those functions have to do with the line guides.
Grips (length and material)
The Shimano Tiralejo grips are made of black shrink tube rubber grip. These grips are soft enough that they don’t cause calluses and problems with your hand, but firm enough to maintain the sensitivity of the rod.
There are two grips on the rod itself, a forgrip and a rear grip.
The two grips are on either side of the reel seat, and hence will be on either side of the reel when you attach it.
The rear grip is between 18.5-24 inches in length, depending on the rod length that you get (longer rod, has longer grip length.
The foregrip is between 5.5 to 6 inches in length, once again depending on the rod length that you get.
Length
There are four different lengths of the Shimano Tiralejo.
- 9’6” rod: has a moderate fast action
- 10’6”rod: has a moderate fast action
- 11’ rod: has a fast action
- 12’ rod: has a moderate fast action
As the rod length increases the casting distance usually increases as well. The longer ones are great for casting long distances and fishing deep waters.
Action
The action refers ultimately to the bend of the rod and how fast it returns to neutral.
See below for a more in depth description of action.
The Shimano Tiralejo has two options, they either come in medium/fast action, or a fast action.
Faster action rods are better for larger species, and they are also able to set the hook faster.
Sensitivity
The sensitivity refers to how easy it is for you to feel those little nibbles from the fish.
With the C4S construction process of the Shimano Tiralejo, you will easily be able to feel those little nibbles and not miss reeling in a fish.
Other Key Shimano Tiralejo Review Components:
- Lure Rating: 1-3.5oz
- Line test: 30-50lb
What others are saying about the Shimano Tiralejo
- “I find this very light but strong”
- “Everything about this rod speaks of long distance casts”
- “Best Surf Fishing Rod I have ever used”
- “This rod can really cast it out there”
- “Love this rod, zero complaints”
- “Casts beautifully”
What to consider when buying a fishing rod
Rod Length
This is measured from the end of your rod handle, to the very tip of the rod. The important thing to remember about rod length is that it will drastically affect your casting distance.
To summarize it, longer rods typically cast further and shorter rods are for casting shorter distances.
Most rods are between 7’-12’ in length.
A 7’ rod is a good option for lakes and streams, and is a good beginner rod as it will allow you to cast a decent distance, but isn’t too much rod.
If you are into surf or ocean fishing then consider something from 9’-12’, this will ensure you can cast a good distance, and equally important it will allow for deeper fishing.
Rod Material
There are two main materiasl (and a few others), but ultimately graphite and fiberglass are the two main options when it comes to choosing a rod.
The other one that is in a few rods, is aeroglass.
When it comes to strength it doesn’t get much better than graphite for rods, but this comes at a cost. The graphite material is more brittle than the fiberglass.
The nice things about graphite rods are their power and sensitivity. They are typically stronger so they are good for the species of fish that are notorious fighters. Then the sensitivity of the graphite rod is hard to beat. They are able to detect the smallest nibbles on the other end of the line.
In summary: Graphite and fiberglass are the two main options when it comes to rod materials.
Rod Power
Power is the amount of force it takes the bend the rod.
This is classified from ultra light to ultra heavy.
Ultra light rods are best for smaller species like trout wheras the ultra heavy rods are better suited for large fish you would encounter on deep sea fishing excursions.
Rod power is also sometimes referred to as the rod “weight”.
Rod Action
While power is the “bendability” of the rod the action refers to where along the rod the bend will occur and also how fast the rod will return to neutral.
A slow action rod will bend all the way to the handle and is good for smaller fish and allows a better fight for the angler, as it ensures the hook won’t be ripped right through the fishes mouth.
A moderate action rod will bend up to ½ the length of the rod. This is good for small to medium species and allows for moderately quick hook setting.
A fast action rod will bend up to the first ¼ of the rod. This is good for medium to larger species and allows for rather quick setting of a hook.
An extra fast action rod will bend only at the tip. This is better for larger species and allows for extra fast hook setting.
The action is also the speed with which the rod will return to neutral, this correlates with the hook setting ability. The slower action rod will be slower to return to neutral, and will also be slower to set the hook.
The same is true for the fast and extra fast.
If you are chasing after trout or lake/river fish then a moderate to fast action rod is a good option.
If you are doing some surf fishing as you would with the Shimano Tiralejo then a moderate to fast action would be appropriate, hence that is the only two options the rod comes in.
Rod Handles
This is what you hold onto.
You want this to be comfortable but not so conforming to your hand that you don’t feel the nibbles.
Materials that are common for rod handles are EVA, cork, and rubber.
Any of those options are good for comfort as well as maintaining sensitivity.
Rod Guides
These are the rings that the fishing line passes through. A lot of anglers don’t give them much thought, and that is so easy to do since they aren’t one of those things that affects performance a lot.
The time when you do start to think about the rod guides are when they fray your line or the ceramic ring in them starts breaking.
You want these to be sturdy and have a smooth ceramic ring that lines the inner portion of the ring, so your line doesn’t fray.
Reel Seat
This is the point at which your reel will be in contact with the rod. There is typically a part of the reel seat on each side of the reel and it will screw down and tighten over the reel.
The seat is important because you want it to be strong and sturdy, since it is a point of stress and leverage on the rod.
Ferrules
On 2 or more piece rods like the Shimano Tiralejo, there are parts of it called the ferrules. These are the connecting points between the pieces of the rod. There is typically one female end and another male end.
If is important to make sure that these fit together nicely and that the male part will go far enough into the other portion to ensure that there is appropriate leverage when stress is put on the rod.
Casting vs. Spinning Rod
Casting rod usually has the reel positioned on top of the reel as opposed to the spinning rod that positions the reel below the rod.
The spinning rod typically has less guides on it, simply because of the positioning of the line in relation to the rod.
Other Related FAQ’s
What reel pairs great with the Shimano Tiralejo?
Shimano actually recommends pairing with the Ultegra reel.
Another option is the stradic reel.
You can click either one of those links and check them out on Amazon.
How far can the Shimano Tiralejo cast?
A lot of this has to do with lure weight, the kind of reel, and the length of the rod.
The shorter Shimano Tiralejo should be able to cast easily in the area of 50 yards if using a 2 oz lure with a spinning reel that has smooth free spooling for casting.
As the rod gets longer it will cast further, it is not linear by any means but many people have said the 10 and 11 foot rods are casting 60-70 yards no problem.
Does the Rod come in a 50/50 split regarding length?
It absolutely does.
This makes it so convenient for taking the rod in the car/truck.
This is also nice because with it being a 2 piece rod and splitting ½ down the rod that is where a moderate action will bend, and the fast action will bend further toward the tip.
This location along with the actions this rod comes in will ensure the bend isn’t putting unneeded stress on the ferrules.
Is there a warranty from Shimano?
In most instances Shimano will offer a 1 year warranty on the Shimano Tiralejo.
Check out this link for more information on Shimanos warranties.
Conclusion
Alright, so you have just been through an entire Shimano Tiralejo Review. This was in pretty good detail, and I really wanted it to be as detailed as possible for you because the Shimano Tiralejo rod is an expensive one.
If you are more confident in your buying knowledge now, go ahead and click on over to Amazon using this link and get yourself this awesome rod.
I hope this has been helpful for you.
Good luck out there
Sean
